E20 Rita Neri | Event Planner | Making dream events a reality while cultivating an industry

How do we navigate socials in the new normal?

Rita Neri Event Planners CEO Rita Neri shares insights drawn from over 30 years of experience planning weddings, debuts, corporate and charity events.

What originally started as an offshoot of a small wedding shop she established in the 90s has blossomed into a brand with a global footprint, servicing clients from 4 continents and counting. RNEP's celebrity clients include Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos, plus Hong Kong superstars Dicky Cheung and Jess Zhang, Nicolas Tse and Cecilia Cheung.

RN has also worked to professionalize the event planning industry as a whole. Her pioneering efforts include conducting wedding coordination training seminars, collaborating with global event powerhouses such as Preston Bailey and Grace Ormonde, and partnering with the Philippine Department of Tourism in promoting the Philippines and its talents on an international scale.

She has been a consultant and resource speaker on the topic of events, as well as a contributing writer to bridal publications. She also wrote two best-selling books, “The Essential Wedding Workbook for the Filipina” and “Your Handy Wedding Guidebook,” a DIY guide for couples on a budget.

On this episode, we chat event etiquette in the time of corona, the state of the events industry, options for commitment ceremonies given same sex marriage restrictions in the Philippines, considerations for both religious and secular ceremonies, security protocol for VIPs, and her thoughts on “that J. Lo movie.”

This episode is dedicated to anyone making any sort of commitment this year, and to the entire events industry that is getting back on its feet.

NOTE: Our hearts go out to those affected by war. We hope this episode brings listeners some entertainment and joy, a break from heavier headlines. That said, the portion of the interview where we briefly talk about RN’s father – a career diplomat who served as Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to Japan, and chief negotiator for reparations post-World War II – resonates even more, underscoring the importance of diplomacy and international relations.

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Follow Rita Neri on IG (@ritamneri) or catch her interviews here:

RJ Ledesma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEXHbMM8aVg

Inquirer Lifestyle https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/345258/rita-neri-25-years-of-planning-high-society-and-celebrity-weddings/

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More on same sex marriage in the Philippines:

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/04/asia/philippines-gay-marriage-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.rappler.com/nation/239305-fight-for-same-sex-marriage-philippines-alive-despite-supreme-court-ruling/

https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/presidential-candidates-stance-same-sex-marriage-civil-unions/

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Music: “Neon Laser Horizon” by Kevin MacLeod (imcompetech.com) licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Sound Editing by franticsong

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xoxo Jo